BE678723A - - Google Patents

Description

  

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 EMI1.1
 



  Hydrostatic cooker of the tY> J ...; ".... îI: i.;: E one extracted.
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  The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing products contained in rMCipi '-; nts waterproof and}
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 more particularly, a hydrostatic handling cooker -
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 Knt containers of non-circular and irrecular sections. products such as ocrned b-fee6e are often packaged in irrigated boxes with a substantially rectangular bottom re3tVt? ^: 't': 1t F; W.Wi a relatively small top and four walls lut3r, -.- the inclined ones. As the metal of these boots is hbitucllct'nt tris uinoe and CG :: rle the walls cont. All planed, this kind of container is 1 by a handling ncaniu i! ..-

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 clean or by an inadequate adjustment of the pressures acting on the boxes.



   However, the object of the present invention is to provide: an improved apparatus for driving and unloading rows of cans in a hydrostatic cooker; apparatus for exerting an overpressure on the exterior surfaces of the cans immediately upon leaving the sterilized medium; an apparatus for maintaining an overpressure on cans for a period of time sufficient to allow the pressure prevailing in the cans to drop to a value lower than the pressure acting on the outer surfaces of the cans;

   an instant cooling device used to condense the gases given off in a? box while subjecting the box to a sufficient overpressure to make its walls concave by making them bend inwards; an apparatus for driving rows of irregularly shaped cans in a hydrostatic cooker and for discharging them therein; an apparatus for mechanically associating a feed and unloading device with a continuously moving process conveyor during the driving and unloading of the boxes; an improved apparatus for regulating the pressure of the vapor in the cans relative to the pressure acting on their exterior surfaces;

   a divider for dividing a row of boxes into several rows; a counter-stop device used to determine with precision the number of boxes which must be inserted in each box holder; a feed mechanism for pushing back a row

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 boxes in a continuously moving box holder; an unloading mechanism for unloading a row of boxes from a continuously running box holder. movement; -an improved box holder for a hydrostatic cooker.



   These objects and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the detailed description given below with reference to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic end elevational view, partly broken away, of the hydrostatic cooker and the invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic side elevational view of the cooker, partly broken away; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the hydrostatic cooker; Fig. 4 is a median vertical section on a larger scale of the lower part of the hydrostatic cooker taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2 showing an improved pressure cooling chamber for cooling the cans and regulating the pressure acting thereon with some can carriers removed;

   Fig. 5 is a perspective view of several cans processed in the hydrostatic cooker of the invention; Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing two can carriers and part of the construction associated therewith to govern the movement of the boot carriers in the hydrostatic cooker with some parts broken away; Fig. 7 is an enlarged plan view of the feeding and discharging mechanism of the hydrostatic cooker of FIG. 1; Fig. 8 is an enlarged end elevational view of the feed and unload mechanisms of FIG. 7 taken in the direction of arrows 8-8 of FIG. 7;
Fig. 9 is a median vertical section following the

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 line 9-9 of Fig. 7;

   Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a box divider associated with the feed mechanism with the divider in the box unloading position; Fig. 11 is a horizontal section on a larger scale taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 9 showing the two feed conveyors and the apparatus for transferring rows of boxes from the feed conveyors to the loading cradles in FIG. 12 is a perspective view on a larger scale of a counter-stop device taken in the direction of arrow 12 of FIG. 11; Fig. 13 is a plan view, partly broken away, of the counter-stop device shown in FIG. 12;

   Fig. 14 is a schematic median vertical section on a larger scale of a load limiting device; Figs. 15A and 15B taken together form a vertical section, partly broken away and on a larger scale, along line 15-15 of FIG. 7; Fig. 16 is a perspective view, partly cut away, of part of the loading cradles and the associated operating mechanism; Fig. 17 is an enlarged vertical cross section taken on line 17-17 of FIG. 15A, of a feed conveyor and a loading cradle, showing the loading cradle in its lower position; Fig. 18 is a vertical cross section taken on line 18-18 of FIG. 15A showing the loading cradle in an elevated position;

   Figs. 19A and 19B taken together form a

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      horizontal section on a larger scale along line 19-19 of Figs. 15A and 15B showing the device used to raise and lower one of the loading cradles, some parts being torn off; Fig. 20 is a perspective view of part of one of the unloading cradles and associated unloading conveyors, some parts broken away; Fig. 21 is an enlarged vertical cross section taken along line 21-21 of FIG. 15B; Fig. 22 is a vertical section on a larger scale taken on line 22-22 of FIG. 15B; Fig. 23 is a schematic perspective view on a larger scale of a segment of the programming tanbour;

   Fig. 24 is a schematic plan view of certain parts of the pneumatic and electrical control circuits which govern the formation of the rows of boxes and the transfer of these rows to the associated loading cradles; Fig. 25 is a schematic elevational view of the portion of the pneumatic control circuit which controls the loading of the rows of boxes from the left loading cradle into the associated can carriers; Fig. 26 is a schematic elevational view of the portion of the pneumatic control circuit which governs the unloading of the rows of processed cans from the can carriers onto the left unloading cradle; Fig. 27 is a schematic center section of a speed control valve;

   and Fig. 28 is an electrical diagram showing the electrical elements which govern the actuation of certain parts of the hydrostatic cooker of the invention.



     The hydrostatic cooker 30 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) of the present invention is capable of processing rows of containers C

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 (Fig. 5) hereinafter called boxes, filled with a product such as meat. The boxes C each have the shape of a prismatoid comprising a large lower bottom substantially rectangular 31, a small upper bottom substantially rectangular 32, two wide trapezoidal sides 33 and two narrow trapezoidal sides 34.



   The hydrostatic cooker 30 (Figs. 1 and 2) comprises a lower trough 36 having an open ended vertical cylindrical tubular enclosure 37 which is connected thereto in a fluid-tight manner and which is in communication with it.



  The upper end of the enc.einte 37 is closed by a cap 38 having a cylindrical upper surface. A vertical baffle 39 (Figs. 1 and 4) is welded in fluid-tight contact to the sides of the tubular enclosure 37 and divides the enclosure into an open ended inlet duct 41 and a flow chamber. sterilization 42, the upper end of which is closed by the cap 38.



  A small enclosure 43 having a closed upper end and an open lower end connects to and communicates with trough 36 to form a pressure cooling chamber 44.



   A vertical enclosure 46 of rectangular section forms an outlet water conduit or a cooling chamber 47 and is connected to and communicates with the trough 36. As shown in Figs, 1 and 2, all the flat surfaces of the enclosures 43 and 46 and of the cap 38 are reinforced by hoops 48 to resist the internal pressure which acts on the surfaces and which tends to deform them towards. outside. Tie rods 49 are provided to connect the tubular enclosure 37 to the tubular enclosure 46 in order to increase the rigidity of the hydrostatic cooker.



   An endless treatment conveyor 56 is provided to pass rows of boxes C through the various chambers and conduits of the hydrostatic cooker 30 in the direction indicated by

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 the arrows in FIG. 1. Conveyor 56 includes spaced parallel chains 59 and 58 (Fig. 6) having a plurality of equally spaced elongated can carriers 59 mounted therebetween. Chains 57 and 58 of conveyor 56 (Fig. 1) pass around several pairs of spaced chain wheels 60, 61, 62, 63 and 64 wedged on shafts 66, 67, 68, 69 and 71 respectively.



   Two slides 72, only one of which is shown in FIG. 6 are provided to guide the conveyor 6 along a tortuous path which passes through the various chambers and through the treatment agents contained in the hydrostatic cooker. The slides 72 slidably receive the corresponding chains 57 and 58 and are continuous except in areas adjacent to a feed station A (Fig. 1), an unloading station B and the various pairs of chain wheels on. which the chains pass. The slides are properly secured to the frame of the hydrostatic cooker.



   The can carriers 59 (Fig. 6) are of the end fed type and each include two U-shaped supports 76 and 77 each having a support web 78 for the cans and retaining wings 79 r "attached to the boxes. longitudinal edges of the core 76 by rounded longitudinal beads 81, The support profiles 76 and 77 are spaced from each other by a distance sufficient to receive a row of boxes between them and are rigidly held in this arrangement by intermediate spacers 82 and end spacers 82 'welded to the wings 79 close to the median axis of the conveyor 56.

   The end struts 82 'of each pair of carriage holders 59 are bolted to fixing brackets 83 welded respectively to a link 84 of the chains 57 and 58 and extending outwardly therefrom. When the can-holders 59 are thus mounted, the outer retaining wings 79 are spaced apart from one another by ma-

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 to allow parts of a feed mechanism 90 (Fig. 1) and an unloading mechanism 91, described later, to penetrate between the outer wings of each pair of can holders 59 to introduce 'first a row of 21 boxes longitudinally in each box holder and then to unload it. row of boxes longitudinally of the box holder.



   In order to prevent the rows of cans from moving lengthwise in each can holder 59, when the can holder is driven into the hydrostatic cooker, two guides (Fig. 6) 93 are welded to each slide 72 and s' engage with notches 96 in the corresponding ends of can carriers 59. Guides 93 include curved portions 93A (Fig. 4) placed around each pair of conveyor chain wheels. The guides 93 are continuous with the exception of a small part located near the feeding station A (Fig. 1) and the unloading station B where the rows of boxes are fed longitudinally into the box holders. 59 and unloaded longitudinally of this @@ - as they pass these places.

   The ends of the guides 93 located just above the feed station A flare outward at 93b, as can be seen in FIG. 6 so as to attack the boxes which are badly placed on the box holders and bring them into their correct position.



   The conveyor 56 is driven continuously in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1 by motors 101 and 102 which are electrically interconnected. The ICI motor is connected to the shaft 71 by a chain and pinion transmission 103. The motor 102 is connected to the input shaft 104 of a gearbox 106 by a chain transmission 107 and the output shaft 108 of the gearbox 106 is connected to the shaft 69 by a chain transmission 109. The shaft 68 is driven by meshing pinions 110 and 111 wedged on the shafts 6 and 69

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 respectively and the shaft 66 is driven by the shaft 68 via a transmission chain 112.



   The sterilization chamber 4e is filled with steam at about 121 C and 1.07 kg / cm2 through a line 116 which is connected to a suitable source of steam under pressure, and the water lines 41 and 47 are filled with water. by pipes 117 and 118 respectively which are connected to a water supply.



  The vapor pressure is balanced in the usual way by water columns contained in the conduits 41 and 47. The level of the water in the sterilization chamber 42 is indicated by the dotted line 119 while the level of the water. water in conduits 41 and 47 is indicated by lines 121 and 122 respectively.



   When rows of boxes have been introduced into the box carriers 59 at the feed station A, the continuously driven conveyor 56 lowers the rows of boxes into the water contained in the inlet duct 41, the temperature of which gradually increases. from about 96 C at its upper end to 118 C at its lower end. The rows of boxes then follow the loop 126 (Fig, 4) placed in a hot water compartment 127 formed by walls 12 & and 129 which are joined together in a fluid-tight manner as well as , the lower part of the tubular enclosure 37, thus separating the hot water in the compartment 127 from the cold water outside the compartment.

   The rows of cans then exit the hot water compartment 127 and enter the sterilization chamber 42 which is maintained at a temperature of about 121 C and a pressure of 1.07 kg / cm2. After passing through sterilization chamber 42, the rows of boxes enter the cooling water contained in the lower end of sterilization chamber 42, at a point outside of hot water compartment 127.

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   An important feature of the invention is that the entry point of the boxes into the cooling water is a substantial distance above the lower point in the path of the conveyor, 56 as indicated at 131 in FIG. 4. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, this distance exceeds 3.6 m and thus provides an overpressure exceeding 0.35 kg / cm2 at the lower point in the path of the boxes and a pressure greater than at 0, 35 kg / cm at the top of the trough 36. The total pressure acting on the boxes at the top of the trough 36 therefore exceeds 1.4 kg / cm2.



   When the rows of cans emerge from the steam contained in the sterilization chamber 42, they enter the aforementioned cooling water which is maintained at about 88 ° C. near its upper end, and cool down slightly downstream. enter the cooling chamber under pressure 44. Compressed air is introduced into the cooling chamber 44 through a line 132 to maintain the pressure in the chamber at about 1.4 kg / cm2. circulation 133 (Figs. 1 and 2) driven by a motor 134 delivers cooling water from the trough 36 through a duct 135 to ramps 136.

   The ramps are disposed transversely in the upper end of chamber 44 and communicate with nozzles 137 (Fig. 4) which spray cooling water onto the cans to lower their temperature sufficiently to condense the vapors therein. are contained. It will be understood that when the vapors contained in the cans are condensed, the air pressure of 1.4 Kg / cm2 which acts on the exterior surface of the cans deforms their surfaces towards the interior against the product contained therein, to increase the resistance. - mechanical strength of thin-walled boxes and to meet certain requirements of food industries.

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   As the rows of cans exit the pressurized cooling chamber 44, they flow back into the cooling water at the level indicated by line 138 in FIG. 4 and the water at this level is maintained at about 60 ° C and 1.4 kg / cm2. The rows of boxes then ascend into the outlet water conduit 47 which contains water with a temperature ranging from about 60 ° C at its lower end to about 27 ° C at its upper end. The rows of treated boxes are then unloaded from the processing conveyor 56 at the unloading station B.



   The improved cooling system of the invention therefore uses a hot water compartment 127 which separates the hot water from the coolant water, uses a deep water cooling duct which exerts an overpressure of about 0. , 35 kg / cm2 and maintains this pressure by applying a bumping air pressure in the pressurized cooling chamber 44 while spraying water on the cans to condense the vapors contained therein and thereby concave the cans. flat sides of the boxes by deforming them inwards.



   Further features of the invention reside in the feed mechanism 90 and in the unloading mechanism 91 which are capable of safely inserting rows of irregularly shaped cans into the can carriers 59 of the hydrostatic cooker. 30 and subsequently unloading the rows of treated boxes.



   In general) the feed mechanism 90 which is located at the feed station A (Figs. 7, 8 and 9) comprises an uninterrupted driven feeder conveyor 141 which moves one row of transverse boxes relative to two. feed conveyors without interruption 142 and 143 which are placed on either side of the endless processing conveyor 56

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The supply conveyor 141 the boxes in line with the supply conveyor 142 ce143 so that a reciprocating box divider 144 pushes two boxes from the supply conveyor onto the transport; supply 142 and 143 at each of its strokes.



   Divider 144 forms a row of boxes on each feed conveyor and counterstops 146 and 147 are associated with feed conveyors 142 and 143, respectively, to determine when a row formed of the number of appropriate boxes are ready to be transferred from carriers.



   Each backstop detects the presence and proper arrangement of the twenty-second box on each feed conveyor. Each counter-stop also moves a stop finger between the twenty-fifth and the twenty-sixth box on each conveyor. If the twenty-second box on each feed carrier occupies the appropriate position, a signal from the corresponding backstop 146 or 147 is sent to the actuation mechanism of a corresponding transfer mechanism 148 or 149.



   When the rows of boxes have been formed, the transfer mechanisms 148 and 149 push rows of 21 boxes from the feed carriers 142 and 143 onto the loading cradles 152 and 153 respectively. Loading cradles
152 and 153 include hydraulic junction mechanisms
154 and 156 (Fig. 11). When twenty-one boxes are placed on each loading cradle, each junction mechanism
154 and 156 is locked at one end of a corresponding can holder 59 of the process conveyor 56 to be loaded.

   When the loading cradles 152 and 153 are in line with the junction mechanisms and are connected by them to the corresponding ends of the box carriers to be loaded, hydraulic tappets 157 and 158 come into contact with the rows of boxes and push them back longitudinally from the loading cradles 152 and

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 153 in the associated box holders to load them. The pushers then return to their inactive positions and the loading cradles return to their lower positions in which they receive further rows of boxes to load the next two box carriers from the processing conveyor 56.



   When the rows of filled boxes have been drawn into the various chambers of the hydrostatic cooker 30, they are introduced into the unloading station B (Figs. 8 and 9) by the processing conveyor 56. Vertically movable unloading cradles 162 and 163 (Fig. 8) of the unloading mechanism 91 include unloading junction mechanisms 164 and 166 (Fig. 7) which engage the lower surfaces of the can carriers to be unloaded when the cradles 162 and 163 are in. their superior positions.

   When the discharge cradles 162 and 163 are connected to the corresponding box carriers 59 of the treatment conveyor 56 and descend with them, pushers 167 and 168 (Fig. 8) are actuated to push the rows of treated boxes longitudinally out. of their box carriers, on unloading conveyors 169 and 171 (Fig. 7) respectively. The unloading conveyors 169 and 171 are hinged to the cradles 162 and 163, respectively, and unload the rows of boxes from the hydrostatic cooker 30.



   As the parts of the feed mechanism 90 and the unloading mechanism 91 which load rows of cans into the can holders placed to the right of, the centerline of the process conveyor 56, as shown in FIG. 8, and which unload them therefrom, feel in substance identical to the parts situated to the left of the median axis of the conveyor 56, only the parts of the feeding and unloading mechanisms which are situated to the left of the conveyor 56 will be described in detail below.



   In addition, although a specific number of boxes has been mentioned in this description, it will be understood that the invention

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   It is also contemplated to provide an apparatus for handling rows of longer or shorter boxes as well as boxes of different shapes and sizes.



   As clearly shown in Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10, the supplier conveyor 141 comprises an endless belt 181 which passes over pulleys 182 and 183 wedged on shafts 184 and 186 which journal in the frame of the hydrostatic cooker. The upper run 181a of the belt 181 is driven continuously in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 8 by a motor 187 which is connected to the shaft 186 by a transmission chain 188.



   Input extracts from feed carriers
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 1r2 and 13 pass around chain sprockets 189 and 191 (Fig. 10) and their upper strands are placed between the upper strand.
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 18la and the lower strand 18lob of the supplier conveyor 141.



  The chain wheels, 189 and 191 are set on idle shafts 193 and 194 (F:.,. 8) which journal in the frame of the hydrostatic cooker. The discharge ends of the carriers 142
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 and li..3 (Fig. 11) pass around drive chain wheels 195 (only one of which is shown in Fig. 17) wedged on drive shafts 196 and 197 (Fig. 11). Drive shafts 196 and 197 are journaled in the cooker frame and
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 its '.. 3' drawn continuously to drive the feed conveyors in the direction of arrow E, by transmission chains 198 and 199, respectively, which connect the shafts
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 training a. 'a shaft 201 coupled to a drive motor 202.

   Guides 203 (Fig. 7) are provided along both sides of the supplied conveyor 141 and have openings 2C4 and 2C6 in line with conveyors 1 + 2 and 1-3 to be able to transfer boxes from the supplier conveyor 141
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 on 1W2 and 1r3 power carriers.



  To ensure that the boots are placed in line
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 with feed carriers 12 and t3 before the

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 divider 144 is actuated, some boxes are lifted above the surface of the supply conveyor by an apron 208 which is placed above the upper run of the belt 181 and which runs from a location downstream of the conveyor. feed 142 to a location in line with the feed conveyor 143.



   However, an uninterrupted line of boxes must be present on the supplier conveyor 141 and on the apron.
208 before a box is brought into line with the feed conveyor 143 by frictional contact between the top strand of the feed conveyor and the boxes it supports.



   Outer guides 211 (Fig. 11) are provided along the outer edges of the feed conveyors and extend their entire length. Inner guides 212 are provided along the inner edges of the feed conveyors 142 and 143 and include portions which are mounted on the corresponding loading cradles 152 and 153 and which terminate in inwardly facing portions 214 located near the inlet ends of transfer mechanisms 148 and 149.



   The box divider 144 (Figs. 7 and 10) serves to simultaneously push two boxes both transversely from the supply conveyor 141 onto the supply conveyors 142 and
13 each time a full row of boxes is formed on .. -the supplier carrier. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the first box of the row formed on the supply conveyor and the ninth of this row are unloaded transversely from the conveyor 141 and transferred to the supply conveyor 143 each time. that a pivoting lever 218 (Fig. 10) is actuated by contact with a row of for- rote boxes on the supplier conveyor 141.

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   The lever 218 is pivotally mounted on a support 219 by. a pin 221 and its lower end is positioned so as to be engaged by the first box of a row which is brought into a transfer position on the conveyor 141. The first box rotates the lever 218 in the counterclockwise direction a clockwise (Fig. 10) to actuate a valve 222. A spring 223 attached to the upper end of the lever 218 and to the bracket 219 recalls the lever clockwise and a screw 224 screwed in. through a pact 226 welded to the support 219 limits the pivoting of the lever in the direction of the needles of a watch.

   Since the first box is on deck 208, it will be understood that it is only brought in line with feed conveyor 143 when an uninterrupted row of boxes is formed behind the first on the conveyor. main power supply. The boxes are therefore placed in line with the two feed conveyors each time the lever 218 is moved to actuate the valve 222.



   In order to transfer the first and ninth box to the feed conveyors 143 and 142, actuation of valve 222 operates a pneumatic valve 228 which introduces high pressure air into the front end of cylinder 229 d. a pneumatic cylinder 231 for retracting the piston rod 232 from the cylinder 231 into the cylinder. The piston rod 232 is connected to a block 233 having a groove parallel to the feed conveyor 141. Two levers 236 and 237 are pivotally mounted between their ends by cap screws 238 and 239 screwed into blocks 241 and 242 covenably fixed to the hydrostatic cooker frame. Cam followers (not shown) are connected to adjacent ends of levers 236 and 237 by bolts 248 and are slidably engaged in groove 234.

   Cam followers 249 are attached at the other end

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 levers 236 and 237 and can slide in back grooves 22 formed in blocks 254. The blocks 254 are fixed to plates 256 which slide in guides 257 fixed to the frame of the cooker. A pusher 258 is attached to each plate 256 and one of these pusher 258 is in a position in which it can be brought into contact with the first box on the conveyor 141 while the other pusher can be brought into contact with the ninth. box.

   The actuation of the valve 222 therefore retracts the piston rod 232 into the cylinder and thus causes the levers 236 and 237 to pivot which force the pushers 258 to transfer the ninth and the first box from the supplier conveyor 141 to the feed conveyors. tion 142 and 143.



   In the transfer position, stop plates 261 attached to one side of each pusher 258 prevent the boxes from moving on the feed conveyor 141 past each pusher. When the pushrods 258 are at the end of their active stroke, an ear 252 attached to the lever 237 actuates a valve 263 which moves the valve 228 and introduces air into the other end of the cylinder 229 of the pneumatic cylinder so that the piston rod 232 is extended and the lifters 256 are retracted to allow other boxes to come in line with the feed carriers. The pneumatic circuit which controls the actuation of the can divider 144 will be described in more detail below.



   It will be appreciated that divider 144 and feed conveyors 142 and 143 operate at speeds sufficient to form a row or load of boxes on each conveyor 142 or 143 and to allow time for that row to pass over the cradle of. corresponding load 152 and 153 and then in the particular box carriers 59 of the treatment conveyor 56

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 to be loaded during the time the box holder passes through the feeding station A.



   As the boxes advance over the feed conveyors 142 and 143, each front box contacts a stopper 266 (Fig. 11) placed near the unload ends of each feed conveyor to hold the row of. boxes motionless when formed. Each stopper comprises a plate 267 sliding in slides 268 fixed to the frame of the cooker. Each plate 267 has a tab 269 which is attached thereto and which is placed so as to come into contact with the first box on the corresponding feed conveyor to stop that box in a position in which it can be unloaded from the conveyor; feed by the transfer mechanism 148 or 149.



   'end of fine-tuning the end box j relative to the corresponding transfer mechanism, each stop; 266 includes an adjustment bolt 271 which passes through male holes; Aged in ears 272 and 273 welded respectively to the plate 267 and to the frame of the cooker. Locknuts are provided on each bolt 271 to adjust and lock each stopper 266 in the desired position.



   Counterstops 146 and 147 (Fig. 11) are provided to accurately determine whether the correct number of boxes to form a load of box carriers has been gathered in the desired position on the corresponding feed conveyor and to prevent the transfer mechanisms 148 or 149 to be actuated if the number of boxes or if the positions of the boxes are incorrect. As the backstops 146 and 147 are similar, only the backstop 146 will be described in detail.

   But it will be understood that each counter-stop operates independently of the other to govern the actuation of its transfer mechanism.

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The backstop 146 (Figs. 11, 12 and 13) includes a subframe 277 which is bolted to the main frame of the hydrostatic cooker 30 near the feed conveyor 142 immediately upstream of the transfer mechanism 148. The cylinder 278 of a horizontal pneumatic cylinder 279 is bolted to the subframe 277 while its piston rod 281 is hinged to one end of an arm 283 which pivots on the subframe 277 around a bolt 284.

   One end of a resilient stop lever 286 and one end of a rigid stop arm 287 are bolted to arm 283 and the other end of resilient lever 286 has a nylon retainer 288 bolted to it. Stopper 288 is shaped to conform to the curvature of the corners of the boxes and can be moved by pneumatic cylinder 279 between an inactive position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 13 and an active position situated between two boxes and indicated in solid lines in FIG. 13.

   Although lever 286 is resilient and flexes under the action of any substantial load applied thereto, the arrangement is such that when stopper 288 is moved to its active or stop position , the free end of the rigid arm 287 comes against a stop surface 239 of the retainer 288 to prevent the resilient lever 286 from flexing and therefore positively stops the advance of all boxes on the feed conveyor 142 upstream of the stopper 288. If the stopper 288 is * driven against a box instead of being engaged between two successive boxes, when the cylinder 279 is under pressure, it will be understood that the forces acting on the stopper 288 allow it to move away from the free end of the rigid arm 287.

   When the incorrectly positioned box disengages from the stopper 288, the latter resiliently returns to its normal stop position.



   During normal operation, the pneumatic cylinder 279 is

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 pressurized to engage the stopper 238 between the twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth box on the feed conveyor 142 in synchronism with the movement of the process conveyor 56 and under the control of a timer drum 291 ( Fig. 9) which will be described in detail hereinafter, The stopper retains the twenty-sixth box and all the boxes upstream of it and prevents them from advancing on the feed conveyor during feeding. transfer operation.



   Shortly after cylinder 279 has been pressurized, a vertical pneumatic cylinder 292 (Fig. 12) is pressurized under the control of timer drum 291, to determine whether or not the correct number of boxes has been fed into the cylinder. desired position to be transferred from the feed conveyor 142 to the loading cradle 152. The cylinder 292 comprises a cylinder 293 articulated to the subframe 277 by a bolt 294. A piston rod 295 of the cylinder is connected by a bolt 296 ( Fig. 13) at one end of lever 297. The other end of lever 297 is hinged to a support 298 by a bolt 299 and the support is bolted to the subframe 277.

   Lever 297 carries two microswitches 302 and 303 bolted in place and having actuating fingers 304 and 306 respectively which extend outwardly above the path followed by the boxes on the feed conveyor. - mentation 142. Microswitch 302 is a normal switch and is positioned so that its actuating finger 304 descends between the. twenty-second and twenty-third boxes on the feed conveyor 142, if the boxes are arranged correctly, when the cylinder 292 is pressurized.



  Switch 303 is a normally open switch, and when moved downward by cylinder 292, its finger 306 contacted the top of the twenty-second box if the boxes were placed correctly, thus closing the switch. 'switch 303.

   When both switches are terminated,

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 an electrical circuit is energized to actuate a pneumatic cylinder 308 (Fig. 11) which operates the transfer mechanism 148 to transfer twenty-one boxes transversely from the feed conveyor 142 to the loading cradle 152. If the twenty-second box does not 'is not present or if the boxes are not arranged correctly, the two switches are not closed and the transfer mechanism 148 is therefore not activated until the fault has been corrected and both switches are closed.



   The transfer mechanism 148 is clearly shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 11 and has the shape of a parallelogram!: The deformable comprising two upper rods 316 and 317 journaled in bearings 318 bolted to the frame of the hydrostatic cooker 30. Pairs of parallel arms 321 and 322 are wedged by screws stopper on and extend downwardly from the tires 316 and 317 respectively. A rod 323 is secured by set screws in the lower end of the arms 321 and carries two angled levers 324 near its ends to allow them to pivot. One end of each elbow lever 324 is articulated to one of the arms 322 by a pivot 326.

   The other ends of the elbow levers 324 are welded to a box beam 327 (Fig. 8) of rectangular section which has an elastic pressure pad 328 fixed on one of its faces and shaped to conform to the inclination. sides of the boxes. A wing 329 is bolted to the inlets end of the box 327 and serves as a stopper for the boxes when the box 327 is actuated to transfer boxes from the feed conveyor 142 to the loading cradle 152.



   Two spaced sections 330 and 331 extend between the parallel arms 321 near their lower ends and are attached thereto and a yoke 333 (Fig. 11) is mounted between these.

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 profiles. The piston rod 334 of the pneumatic cylinder 308 is articulated to the yoke 333 by a pivot 336 and the cylinder 337 of the actuator 308 is articulated to the frame of the cooker by two links 338 and two pivots 339 (FIG. 8). In order to allow the cylinder 337 to oscillate freely when the cylinder 308 is actuated, the cylinder is also hinged at one end of a load limiting device 341 while the other end of the device 341 is hinged to the frame of the cooker by a pivot 342.



   The load limiting device 341 may be of any suitable well known type such as that shown diagrammatically in FIG. 14. The device 341 comprises a rod 343 which is articulated at one end to the cylinder 337 by the pivot 3'.0. The other end of the rod is hinged to a pivoting switch arm 344 by a pin 346 attached to the rod and loosely engaged in a buttonhole 347 provided in the switch arm 344.

   The switch arm 344 pivots about an axis 348 and is normally biased by a spring 351 in the position shown in FIG. 14 so as to form a bipolar overload switch 353 comprising a pole 3530 normally closed and another pole 353 normally open. Rod 343 slides into switch housing 352 and into a tubular housing 354 bolted to the switch housing and having a holed cap 356 attached to one end of the tubular housing. A compression spring 358 is placed between the opening 356 of the cap and a ring 361 pegged to the rod 343 and pressed the ring with considerable force against an end wall 362 of the tubular housing 354 which allows the displacement of the rod 33. to the right (Fig. 14).

   The ring 361 is held against the end wall 362 to keep the switch 353 closed while the transfer mechanism 148 is operating normally.

  <Desc / Clms Page number 23>

 



   When a box jams or some other difficulty arises and causes an excessive load to be applied to the transfer mechanism 148 losing the transfer operation, the counter force applied to the pneumatic cylinder 308 is sufficient to move the rod 343. to the left (Fig. 14) against the bias of spring 358 to open pole 353 and close pole 3530. When pole 353c is open and pole 3530 closed (these elements being connected in a protection circuit de- described below) high pressure air is introduced into the cylinder 308 in a direction which brings the transfer mechanism 148 into its inactive position shown in FIG. 8.



   As is clearly shown in Figs. 11, 15A, 15B, 16,17 and 18, the loading cradle 152 receives the row of boxes unloaded from the feed conveyor 142 by the transfer mechanism 148, The loading cradle 152 is moved vertically in synchronism with the process conveyor 56 and includes joint mechanism 154 which is moved horizontally to engage the ribs
81 (Fig. 6) formed on the lower surface of each can holder 59 when each can holder passes through feed station A.

   A bridge is thus established between the loading cradle 152 and each can holder to be filled, ensuring that the upper surface of the loading cradle 152 which supports the boxes is perfectly in line with the support surface of the bottom 78 of the holder. 59 boxes to load.



   The loading cradle 152 includes a long box 366 which rests on horizontal profiles 367 and 368 (Figs. 15A and 15B) of the hydrostatic cooker frame when in its lower position to receive boxes. A shorter casing 369 is bolted to the long casing 366 and terminates very close to the entry end of the can holders 59, as can be seen

  <Desc / Clms Page number 24>

 in Fig. 11.

   The long box 366 (Figs. 16 and 17) comprises an upper channel 370, a lower channel 371 ', an outer side plate 372 bolted to the profiles and bearing on each of them so as to extend substantially all of them. the length of the loading cradle 152, and several interior side pliers 373 (Fig. 15B) bolted to the discharge end of the profiles 370 and 371. The small box 369 includes two end brackets 376 and 377 (Fig. 15A and 16) which are bolted to channels 370 and 371 and to which spaced parallel channels 378 and 379 are bolted.



   The junction mechanism 154 is bolted to the discharge end of channel 378 and an upper support plate 381 (Fig. 18) is bolted to channel 370 and its top surface! is in line with the upper surface of the junction mechanism 154 and is located at a level slightly below it. Slide plates 383 and 38 (Figs. 11 and 18) are bolted to the upper surfaces of channel 370 and support plate 381, the level of plate 383 being slightly above that of. the plate 384 to form between them a guide surface 386 for the boxes.

   A vertical slide plate 387 bolts to channel 378 as well as a wing 381A attached to plate 381 and extends above slide plate 38 to force another guide surface 388 which is parallel to the surface. 386. It will be understood that the guide surfaces 386 and 388 prevent the long column of twenty-one boxes from arching horizontally as the boxes are pushed into the end of the box holder to be loaded.



   In order to prevent the long column of boxes from arching upward, a guide bar 389 is placed above the row of boxes on the small box 369 and extends the entire length of the row. The guide bar 38 is sup-

  <Desc / Clms Page number 25>

 carried by supports 390 which are rigidly fixed to the profile 370 of the box Ions 366, as can be seen in FIGS. II and 17. The discharge end 389a of the guide bar 389 extends into the area delimited by the notches 96 formed in the ends of the can holders 59.

   This end portion 389a. is tapered and serves as a protective device that pierces any box supported on the box holder above the notches 96.
 EMI25.1
 



  A long stroke pneumatic cylinder 391 (FiE. 15A and 15B) is mounted in the cabinet 366 and slide plates
 EMI25.2
 392 are fixed to its cylinder 393 pr-js of its ends. Each slide plate 392 (Fig. 16) 'slides in guides 394 which are bolted to the profile 371. The cylinder 393 is also connected to one end of a protection device 396 which is identical to the protection device 341 described. above (Fig. 14) and which contains a normally closed switch 396a.



  The other end of the protection device 396 is connected to a yoke 397 (Fig. 1? B) fixed to the box 366 by bolts.
 EMI25.3
 



  The piston rod 399 (Figs. 15Ai 16 and 18) of the jack 391 is connected to a carriage 401 having two upper groove wheels 402 and two lower groove wheels 403. The two upper wheels' i-02 roll on a V-rail 404 (Fie. 18) fixed to the upper profile 370 while the two lower wheels 403 roll on a V-rail 405 fixed to the lower profile 371.



   An arm 406 is rigidly fixed to the carriage 401, extends between the profiles 378 and 379 of the small box 369 and comprises
 EMI25.4
 a block 407 bolted to the free end of the arm 1t06. A roller 408 rotates on block 407 and rolls on a rail 4c5a attached to profile 379. An upwardly extending arm 409 bolts to block 407 and extends upward above the surface of the roller. ber-
 EMI25.5
 loading bucket 1; 2 intended to support the boxes. One end of a pusher arm 410 (fin. 16) of pusher 157 is pivotally mounted on a pin 411 and its other end carries a shoe 412.
 EMI25.6
 intended to attack boxes.

   A stop bar 413 is bolted

  <Desc / Clms Page number 26>

 - to the pusher arm 410 and attacked the upper edge of the arm 409 to limit the downward pivoting of the arm 410 so that the pad 412 is slightly spaced above the surface of the loading cradle intended to support the boxes. A spring 414 is fixed between the arms 409 and 410 and yields elastically if the shoe 412 has not been withdrawn from the box carrier to be loaded before relative vertical displacement occurs between the loading cradle 152 and the carrier. -boxes.



     As clearly shown in Figs. 15A and 16, a valve actuator finger 421 is attached to block 407 and holds a valve open to partially prepare a pneumatic circuit for cylinder 391 when piston rod 399 is in its extended position shown in FIG. 15A. When the piston rod has been retracted which has the effect of inserting a row of are in the can holder to be loaded, the finger 421 comes into contact with a valve 423 (Fig. 15A) which returns the piston rod in. its extended position shown in FIG. 15A.



   The junction mechanism 154 5Fig. 15A, 16 and 17) comprises a pneumatic cylinder 429, the cylinder 430 of which is bolted to the profile 378 and the piston 431 of which is fixed to a caliper 432 comprising vertically elongated buttonholes 433.



  The lower surface of the caliper 432 is slidably mounted on a frame 434 which prevents the caliper from rotating. A twist 436 is journaled in an elongated block 437 which bolts to channel 378. Rod 436 is connected to yoke 432 by a pivot 438 which passes through elongated buttonholes 434 and allows the rod to rotate through a limited angle. A fishplate forcing plate 439 is welded to a plate 441 and a block 442 which are rigidly attached to the rod 436 by set screws.

   The anterior end of the fishplate 439 is planed as shown in FIG. 16 so

  <Desc / Clms Page number 27>

 as boots are transferred from the plate to slide 84 onto the splice 439 without encountering any ridges which would prevent them from advancing. Note that the plate, the slide 439 fits into a cut portion 384a of the plate 384;
In order to ensure that the fishplate 439 is in the same plane as the surface of the can holder to which the row of boxes is to be transferred, a level seat bar 446 is welded to the bottom surface of a forked plate. 447 which is articulated to block 442 by a pivot 448.

   Two springs 449 are mounted between block 442 and plate 447 and normally bias the leveling bar down against block 442. When the fishplate 439 is moved to the transfer position shown in Figs. 11 and 15A, it will be noted that the level lifting bar 446 attacks the lower surface of the can carrier to be loaded and thus rotates the fishplate 439 until it is perfectly in line with the bottom 78 of the box holder. In this position, the forked plate 447 fits into the notch 96 formed in the bottom 78 of the carrier to be loaded.

   In the event that the cylinder 429 is defective and does not retract the setting bar. calf 46 out of the path followed by the box carriers 59 before the next box carrier enters the loading station A, the springs 449 yield elastically and allow the leveling bar 446 to move away from the path of the doors -boxes. In fact, block 442 passes freely through the endangered notches 96 in the ends of the can holders.



     As mentioned above, the loading cradle
152 is placed in its lower position shown in the
Fig. 15A, 15B and 17 until a row of twenty-one boxes is fed by the transfer mechanism 148 of the feed conveyor 142 onto the slide plate 384 and the fishplate.
439 of the loading cradle 152.

   When the transfer mechanism

  <Desc / Clms Page number 28>

 146 has returned from the dotted line position to the solid line position of FIG. 17 and when the lower surface of the can carrier to be loaded has risen beyond the level of the surface of the cradle intended to support the cans, the pneumatic cylinder 429 is pressurized to extend 1: bar. leveling 446 of the junction mechanism 154 to a position below the can holder 59, as shown in FIG. 15A.



   The loading cradle 152 and the boxes that it supports are therefore driven upwards at the same speed as the box carriers and the loading cradle is connected to the box carrier to be loaded by the level bar 446 and remains connected there until 'the row of boxes has been transferred to the cradle 152 in the box holder by the pusher 157. The junction mechanism 154 is then retracted from the path followed by the boot holders 59 and the cradle 152 is returned to its lower position to receive another row of boxes in order to load the next box holder which enters the feeding station A.



   In order to move the loading cradle vertically
152 in synchronism with the movement of the process conveyor 56 as described above, two yokes 456 (Fig. 15A) and 457 (Fig. 15B) are bolted to the bottom surface of the loading cradle 152. The yoke 456 is hinged. at one end of an angled return 458 by a pin 459. The angled return 458 is pivotally mounted between its ends on the frame of the hydrostatic cooker by a pin 462 and the other end of the bent return 458 is articulated with a bracket link 463 by a pivot 464.

   The same, the yoke 457 (Fig.15B) is articulated at one end of an elbow return 466 by a pin 467 and the bend return 466 is pivotally mounted on the frame of the hydrostatic cooker by a pin 468. The other end the elbow drive 466 (Fig. 19B) is articulated to a link 469 by a pin 471, the link 469 being connected to the connecting bracket 463 (Fig.19A)

  <Desc / Clms Page number 29>

 by a tie 472. Therefore, moving yoke 463 to the left (Fig. 15A) rotates the elbow gear back clockwise and thereby raises the loading cradle 152.



   The piston rod 474 of a pneumatic cylinder 473 (FIGS. 15A and 19A) is articulated to the connecting bracket 463 and its cylinder 476 is articulated by parallel rods 477 to the frame of the hydrostatic cooker. A load limiting device 478 which is identical to the device 341 (Fig. Il +) is articulated to the cylinder 476 and pivots on the frame of the cooker. The device 478 includes a normally closed switch 478a which remains closed during normal operation of the cooker but which opens in the event that an excessive load is applied to the pneumatic cylinder 473. As described in more detail below, the opening of the valve switch 478a due to jamming of a box or the like decompresses the cylinder 473.

   A counterweight 479 (Fig. 15B) is connected to the elbow return 466 to assist the cylinder 473 in lifting the loading cradle 152 and to provide smoother vertical movement of the loading cradle 152.



   It will be appreciated, that during the lift stroke, the cylinders exert just enough lifting force to first move the level bar 446 of the junction mechanism 151+ against the lower surface of the can carrier 59 to be loaded and to maintain. , then firmly clamp the bar 446 against the box carrier and move it upward at the same speed as the boot carrier until the box carrier 'is chars. 5. High pressure air is then introduced into the other end of the cylinder to lower the loading cradle 152 to provide for another cycle of operation.



   When the rows of cans have been introduced into the can holder 59 and have passed through the various treatment chambers of the hydrostatic cooker 30, they are

  <Desc / Clms Page number 30>

 
 EMI30.1
 brought to the unloading powte B (Fig. 15A and 15B) and are unloaded from the bit-gate $ above the junction mechanism iw4 to the discharge cradle 162 by the pusher 167.



  The z2 unloading cradle includes a long wedge $ (ends. 9, 19A, 19B and 21). The box 486 comprises an upper profile 487 (Fig. 21), an inner profile J + 8B, an outer side wall 489 formed of several plates bolted to the profiles 487 and 488 and an inner side wall
 EMI30.2
 491 (Fig. 9) formed of several plates which go from the entry end of the profiles to a point near the entry end of the can holders 59. As can be seen in Fig. 21, a working space exists between the inner wings 496 and 497 of the sections 487 and 488 and extends longitudinally in the area of the box 486 adjacent to the conveyor 56.



   The cylinder 498 (Figs. 9, 15A and 19A) of a pneumatic cylinder 499 is entered on plates 501 which slide in slides.
 EMI30.3
 series 502. Coc "'' As can be seen on FI g, 9 and 19A, a charge-releasing device 503 is provided between the cylinder -98 and the inlet end of the box 486. The device load limiter 503 is identical to device 341 shown in Fig. 14-;
 EMI30.4
 and includes a non-closed switch 03a which opens if an excessive load is applied to piston rod 5G4 of cylinder 494.



   The free end of the piston rod 504 is connected
 EMI30.5
 to a cart 505 (Fig. 21) which is similar to the cart 401 associated with the loading cradle 152. The cart 505 includes two upper grooved wheels 506 (only one of which is shown) and two lower grooved wheels 507 (of which only one is re-
 EMI30.6
 shown) mounted so as to rotate on the carriage. The upper wheels roll on a V-rail 508 attached to the upper channel 487 and the lower wheels 507 roll on a lower V-rail 511 attached to the lower channel 488. A spacer block 512 is

  <Desc / Clms Page number 31>

 welded to the carriage 505 and extends outward from the box 486.



  A vertical arm 513 having a notch 514 (Fig. 15A) in its upper end is bolted to the block 512. A yoke 519 (Fig. 21) is bolted to the upper end of the arm 513 and supports the pusher 167 pivotally. pusher comprising an arm 521 and a pusher shoe 522. The arm 521 is fixed to the yoke 519 by a pivot 523 and is held in an active position by a shear pin 524.



   It will be understood that) as the unloading cradle
162 rises at the same speed as the can holder 59 to be unloaded, the actuation of the cylinder 499 moves the pusher shoe 522 longitudinally through the can holder 59 to push the row of treated cans out of this can holder. In the event that a relative vertical displacement occurs between the unloading cradle 164 and the box holder 59 to be unloaded before the shoe 522 has been removed from the box holder, the force that the box holder 59 exerts upwardly on arm 521 shears pin 524 and allows the arm to pivot about pivot 523 clockwise (Fig. 21) until shoe 522 has been removed from the can holder.



   In order to move the unloading cradle 162 vertically in synchronism with the movement of the process conveyor 56 during the unloading operation, the cradle 162, which includes the unloading function mechanism 164 (Fig. 15B) is mounted on brackets. plates 528 (Fig. 15A) and 529 (Fig.



   15B) to which yokes 531 and 532 are respectively bolted and extend downward. An elbow 533 pivots on the frame of the cooker on a pin 534 and one end of this elbow is articulated to the yoke 531 by a pivot 536.



   The other end of the elbow 533 is articulated to a connecting bracket 537 (Fig. 19A) by a pivot 538. Likewise, an elbow 539 (Fig. 15B and 19B) provided with a counterweight 540 on a

  <Desc / Clms Page number 32>

 of its ends is pivotally mounted on the frame of the cooker by a pin 541 and its other end is articulated to the yoke 532 by a pivot 542. The other end of the return 539 is articulated to a connecting bracket 543 (Fig. 19B) ) by a pivot 546 and the brackets 537 and 543 are connected by a tie rod 545,
The piston rod 547 (Fig, 19A) of a pneumatic cylinder 548-is connected to the connecting yoke 537 by a pivot 549 while the cylinder 551 of the cylinder 548 is pivotally mounted on the frame of the cooker by connecting rods 552.

   A load limiting device 553 which is similar to the device 341 shown in FIG. 14 is articulated between the frame of the hydrostatic cooker and the cylinder 551 of the cylinder 548. The device 553 includes a normally closed switch 553a which opens when an excessive load is applied to the pneumatic cylinder 548.



   The unloading junction mechanism 164 (Figs. 15B, 20, 21 and 22) comprises a front mounting bracket 560 bolted to the plate 529 and a rear mounting bracket 561 which is bolted to a plate 562 which is itself bolted. to cabinet 486. Mounting brackets 560 and 561 have a rear horizontal mounting plate 563 bolted to them. A horizontal front mounting plate 564 bolts to the front mounting bracket 560 and is disposed in line with the back plate 563. The cylinder 565 of an air cylinder 566 is bolted to the rear mounting plate 563 and the Piston rod 567 of the cylinder 566 has a caliper 568 on its free end.

   The yoke 568 is prevented from rotating by a tab 569 welded thereto and extending through a slot (not shown) in a side plate 571 which is bolted to the mounting brackets 560 and 561 and to the plates 563 and 564, Another side plate 572 bolts to the opposite sides of the mounting brackets 560 and 561 and cooperates with the plate 571 to form guides for the boxes.

  <Desc / Clms Page number 33>

 



   The yoke 568 has vertically elongated buttonholes 573 which receive a pivot 574 attached to the end of a rod 577. The rod slides and rotates in bearings 578 and 579 bolted to plates 563 and 564 respectively. A junction plate 582 is welded at its inlet end to a block 583 which is rigidly attached to the rod 577, and at its unload end will a plate 584 which is also rigidly connected to the rod 577. A bar of level 586 is welded to the undersurface of a fork plate 587 which is hinged to junction plate 582 by a pivot 588. Springs 589 are placed between fork plate 587 and block 583 and hold normally leveling bar 586 against block 583.



   As the lower surface of the can carrier 59 to be unloaded rises past the upper surface of the leveling bar 586, the cylinder 566 is actuated to extend the leveling bar 586 below the can carrier. 59. The unloading cradle 162, comprising the entire junction device 164, is then lifted by the cylinder 548 (Fig. 19A) with the result that the leveling bar 586 is firmly pressed against the lower surface of the cylinder. box holder 59 to be unloaded to ensure that the junction plate is in line with the bottom of the box holder on which the boxes are placed.



  When the junction mechanism 164 is connected to the box carrier to be unloaded and rises at the same speed as the latter, the cylinder 499 (Fig. 15A) is actuated to force the pusher 167 to unload the row of boxes from the carrier. boxes on the junction mechanism 164.



   In order to move the rows of cans processed from junction mechanism 164 in a direction away from the hydro-static cooker, the junction mechanism includes two V-belts 596 and 597 (Fig. 20). The V-belt 596 passes around the pulleys 598, 599 and 601. The pulleys 598 and 599

  <Desc / Clms Page number 34>

 are mounted on the axle ends 600 (Fig. 21) fixed to the side plate 571, for example by bolts) and the pulley 601 (Fig.



  20) is wedged on a shaft 602 journalled in bearings 603 attached to side plates 571 and 572. The V-belt 597 passes around a series of pulleys which include a pulley 604 wedged on the shaft 602, a pulley 606 (Fig. 21) rotating on an end of axle 606a attached to side plate 572 and a pulley 607 rotating on an axle 607a. Guides 608 and 609 for the belts are attached to the side plates 571 and 572 respectively and maintain the upper surfaces of the upper strands of the belts 596 and 596 at a level slightly above that of the upper surface of the junction plate 582.



   The unloading conveyor 169 (Fig. 15B, 20 and 22) comprises two trapezoidal belts 613 and 614 passing around pulleys 6 @@ and 617 respectively wedged on the shaft 602, around the pulleys 618 and 619 respectively, wedged on a drive shaft 621, around idle pulleys 622 and 623 rotating on an axis 624 and around an idle pulley 625 which rotates on a threaded axle 625a. Belts 613 and 614 are guided along the top surface of a guide plate 626 which. has longitudinal outer flanges 627 bolted to plates 628 and 629. The front ends of side plates 628 and 629 have arms 630 (only one of which is shown in Fig. 20) which pivot on axis 602.

   The discharge ends of the plates 628 and 629 have bearings 631 and 632 (Figs. 15B and 22) which are bolted to them and in which the drive shaft 621 rotates. The bearings 631 and 632 have grooves. 63 which slidably receive bars 636 bolted to the corresponding plates 628 and 629. This being so, it can be seen that the plates 628 and 629 can move towards or away from the drive shaft 621 in response to movement.

  <Desc / Clms Page number 35>

 vertical of the unloading cradle 162.



   Idler pulley 625 rotates on threaded rod 625a attached to plates 628 and 629 and pin 624 is connected to the front ends of arms 639 and 641 of a caliper 642. The other end of the caliper pivots on a bolt 643 (Fig. 20) which is attached to plates 628 and 629. A spring 644 is attached between yoke 642 and a mounting base 646. Drive shaft 621 rotates in bearings 648 (Fig. 22) ) bolted to the base 646 and is connected to a motor 649 by a transmission chain 651. The motor 649 drives the trapezoidal belts 613 and 614 which drive the trapezoidal belts 596 and 597 so as to advance the row of boxes unloaded from the doors -boxes 59 in one direction away from the hydrostatic cooker to any suitable conveyor.



   As mentioned above, the various pneumatic cylinders are controlled in synchronism with the movement of the process conveyor 56 by the programming drum 291 which is wedged on the shaft 66 of the conveyor, FIG. 7 and 9.



  The periphery of drum 29 is divided into an equal number of curved programming cam segments 657 of which only one is shown in FIG. 23, Each segment 657 has a number of valve actuating lugs 658a through 658h projecting outwardly on the drum and each lug is intended to momentarily actuate one of several cam programming pneumatic valves 660a through. 66oh, respectively. The time it takes for the process conveyor 56 to drive each pair of can carriers past the feed station A or the unload station B is equal to the time it takes for each programming segment 657 and row of. actuating pins 658a to 658h pass through the row of valves 650 a to h.

   The pins provided on each segment therefore control the insertion of two rows of boxes into a pair of box holders.

  <Desc / Clms Page number 36>

 
59 arranged side by side and control the unloading of two rows of treated boxes from two other: box holders
59 arranged side by side.



   We have curved progn unmation cam segments 657. with its actuating pins arranged following a determined program is schematically shown in fig.23. It will be understood that; the location of the pins 658a to 658h on the segment is given only by way of example and that the pins have not necessarily spaced from each other to the extent shown in FIG. 23. For example, during the operation of the apparatus, the introduction of two rows of boxes into two can-holders and the unloading of two rows of treated bolées from two other can-holders can be carried out simultaneously.

   But it is believed that the particular location of the programming points shown in FIG. 23, simplifies the description of the pneumatic control circuit 666 (Figs. 24, 25 and 26).



   Since the operation of the feed mechanism 90 and the unloading mechanism ol are closely associated with the pneumatic control circuit 666, the control circuit and the operation of these mechanisms will be simultaneously described.



   When the motors 101 and 102 of the main conveyors (Fig. 1), the motor 187 of the supply conveyor (Fig. 7), the motor 202 of the feed conveyor (Fig. 11) and the motor
649 of the unloading conveyor (Fig. 15B) have been started, the boxes C to be processed arrive on the supply conveyor 141 (Fig. 24). The conveyor 141 advances a row of boxes arranged end to end on the apron 208 until the end box contacts a leak valve 222 and activates it. The actuator of the leak valve drains air from one end of the pneumatic valve 228, so that the piston 667 of the valve 228 moves down (Fig.

   24) to pass high pressure air from a main supply line.

  <Desc / Clms Page number 37>

 blade 668 by a slot 669 formed in the piston 667 and by a pipe 671 in the cylinder 229 of the cylinder 231 to retract the piston rod 232 and force the pushers 258 of the box divider 144 to engage two boxes, the first and the ninth row, and pushing them from supply conveyor 141 onto supply conveyor 143 and 142 respectively.

   During this time, air is discharged from cylinder 229 through line 672 and through port 673 in piston 667 and exits valve 228 through vent 674. When piston rod 232 reaches its retracted position , the leakage valve 263 is actuated so that air escapes from the upper end (Fig. 24) of the valve.
228, returning the piston-valve 667 to the position shown in FIG. 24.



   During this time, high pressure air passes through line 668, through a threatened port 676 in the piston.
667 and through line 672 in the upper end (Fig. 24) of cylinder 229 so as to push piston rod 232 down to return pushers 258 to their inactive position shown in Fig. 24. During this time, air is evacuated from the lower end of cylinder 229 through line 671, through a port 677 in the piston-valve 677 and through a vent.
678. The operation which has just been described is repeated each time the supplier transporter 141 brings a box C against the leakage valve 222.



   The valve 228 is of a well-known standard type, in which the ports 676 or 669 are in communication with the main supply line 668. In addition, a small diameter lumen 679 is always in communication with the line. high pressure 668 and with opposite ends of valve 228 to maintain a high pressure atmosphere at each end of the piston-valve. Thus, when one of the leak valves 222 or 263 is actuated, high pressure air coming from one side of the piston.

  <Desc / Clms Page number 38>

 valve is momentarily decompressed d; so that the high pressure air on the other side d. piston-valve moves this piston to the low pressure side.



   When a row of at least twenty-one boxes has been fed onto each feed conveyor 142 and 143, the counter-stop mechanisms 146 and 147 are activated to prevent the boxes from moving first. further upstream of the twenty-first box of each row and then to determine whether or not the twenty-one boxes of each row are in a suitable position to be transferred from the feed conveyors to the associated loading cradles 152 and 153.

   The counter-stop mechanisms are actuated in synchronism with the movement of the treatment conveyor 56 by means of cam valves 660a,
660b, 660c and 660d which are actuated by the pins 658a to 658d (Fig. 23) provided on the corresponding segment 657 of the programming drum 291.



  At the start of the operation, the valves 660a to 660d are placed as shown in FIG. 24 .. At this time, high pressure air passes from the main line 668 through a branch line 668a, through a port 689 in the piston.
691 of a valve 692 and through lines 693 in the upper ends of the cylinders, 278 of the cylinders 279 to hold the piston rods 281 in their extended positions so as to place the stop blocks 288 out of the path of the rows of boxes on supply conveyors 142 and 143. Air is exhausted from the lower ends (Fig, 24) of cylinders 278 'through lines 696, through a nozzle 697 in the piston-valve 691 and through a vent 698.



   The lug 658a (Fig. 23) then momentarily actuates the valve 660a to momentarily pass high pressure air from the line 688a through a slot 699 formed in the piston 701 of the valve 660a and through a line 702 in the 'upper end

  <Desc / Clms Page number 39>

 of the valve 692 so as to push its piston 691 towards its lower position. After this momentary actuation, a spring 703 returns the piston 701 of the valve 660a to its normal position shown in FIG. 24.

   High pressure air then passes through line 688a, lumen 697 in piston 691 of valve 692, and line 696 into the lower end (Fig. 24) of cylinders 278 to move piston rods. piston 281 to their retracted positions so as to bring the retainers 288 into the blocking position of the cans above the corresponding feed conveyors 142 or 143. If an uninterrupted line of cans has been formed on each feed conveyor, the retainers 288 are engaged between the. 25 and 26th boxes in each row and are used to prevent all boxes located upstream of the 26th from passing beyond the stops 288.



   Shortly after valve 660a has been actuated as described above, valve-660b is momentarily actuated to pass high pressure air from a branch line 704 through lumen 706 of piston 707 of valve 660b and through a line 708 in the lower end (Fig. 24) of a pneumatic valve 709, thereby moving the piston 711 of the valve to its upper position. High pressure air then passes from line 704 through lumen 712 and through line 714 connected to the upper ends of cylinders 293 (Fig. 12) of pneumatic cylinders 292 so as to lower piston rods 295 (Fig. 12). 12) or move them outward (Fig. 24) to their active positions.

   At this time, the air contained in the closed ends of the cylinders 293 is discharged through a pipe 716 and through a port 717 in the piston 711 as well as through a vent 718 to the atmosphere.



   As mentioned above, the piston rods 295 are connected to the levers 297 (Fig. 12) which each carry the two micro-switches 302 and 303 which are controlled by the actuating fingers.

  <Desc / Clms Page number 40>

      corresponding operations 304 and 306 respectively. If a sufficient number of boxes have been placed on each feed conveyor 142 and 143 and each row of boxes is in a suitable position to be transferred to the corresponding loading cradles 152 or 153, moving to the The bottom of the arms 297 forces the fingers 304 to engage between the 22nd and the 23rd box on each feed conveyor without changing the normally closed position of the microswitches 302.

   This downward movement causes the switch fingers 306 to come into contact with the top surface of the 22nd box in the rows of boxes formed on the feed carriers 142 and 143, thus closing the normally open microswitches 303,
Closing the two switches 302 and 303 associated with each feed conveyor 142 and 143 energizes the solenoids 715 and 720 respectively. The energization of the solenoid 715 moves the piston 719 of a valve 721 so that high pressure air flows from the line 714 through a port 722 in the piston 719 and through a line 723 in the valve. right end (Fig. 24) of cylinder 337 of pneumatic cylinder 308.

   This action retracts the piston rod 334 and causes the transfer mechanism 148 to transfer a row of 21 boxes from the feed conveyor 142 to the loading cradle 152. During this time, air is exhausted from the feeder. left end (Fig. 24) of cylinder 337 through line 716, lumen 717 in the piston 711 of valve 709 and vent 718 into atmosphere.



   Likewise, energizing solenoid 720 causes transfer mechanism 149 to move a row of 21-boxes from feed conveyor 143 onto load cradle 153.



  Energizing solenoid 720 moves piston 726 of solenoid valve 727 so that high pressure air flows from line 714 through lumen 728 in piston 726 and through line 729. in the left end of cylinder 337a

  <Desc / Clms Page number 41>

 the cylinder 308a which controls the actuation of the transfer mechanism 149. Air is evacuated from the other end of the cylinder through the pipe 716, the port 717 and the vent 718.



   Therefore, if the boxes fitted on one of the feed conveyors are not properly seated or if a row of at least 22 boxes has not been formed on one of the conveyors, the corresponding solenoid and therefore, the transfer mechanism 148 or 149 which is associated with that transporter is not energized even though the other transfer mechanism may operate normally.



   Soon after one or both transfer mechanisms 148 and 149 have been operated to transfer the rows of boxes from the feed conveyors 142 and 143 to the corresponding loading cradles 152 and 153, the pin 658c (Fig. 23) on the cam segment 657 of the programming drum 291 comes into contact with the valve 660c and actuates it momentarily. Actuation of valve 660c moves piston valve 731 and allows high pressure air to pass from line 704 through lumen 732 in the piston and through line 733 in the upper end of the valve. valve 709. to return piston-valve 711 to the position shown in FIG. 24.

   Air in the other end of valve 709 passes through line 708, lumen 734 into piston-valve 707 of valve 650b, and vent 736 to atmosphere. High pressure air then passes from the branch line 704, through a lumen 717a formed in the valve 709 and through the line 716 in the closed ends of the two cylinders 293 of the jacks 292 in order to bring the pistons 295 in their inactive extended positions shown in FIG. 24.



  The air contained in the other ends of the cylinders 293 is expelled through line 714, through a threatened lumen 712a in the piston
711 of the valve 709 and through a vent 737 in the valve 709. The movement of the piston rods to their soft extended positions

  <Desc / Clms Page number 42>

 lift switch actuating fingers 304 and 306 above! the level of the boxes and consequently de-energizes the solenoids 715 and 720.



   When the solenoid 715 and 720 are de-energized, high pressure air enters the cylinders of the cylinders 308 and 308a which actuate the transfer mechanism 148 and 149 through conduits 716, thereby moving the piston rods to their positions. ranges shown in FIG. 24 and returning the transfer mechanisms 148 and 149 to their inactive positions. At this time, air is expelled from cylinder 337 through line 723, through lumen 739 in piston 719 of valve 721 and through vent 741. Air is exhausted in the same manner. another transfer cylinder 337a through lines 729, a port 742 formed in the piston 726 of the solenoid valve 727 and through a vent 743 in the atmosphere.

   CV speed control valves are plugged into lines 716, 723 and 729 and can be adjusted to change the speed of the transfer and return strokes of transfer mechanisms 148 and 149. Details of the CV valves will be described later. .



   Shortly after transfer mechanisms 148 and 149 return to their inactive positions, lug 658d (Fig. 23) attacks valve 660d and actuates it momentarily. Actuation of valve 660d sends high pressure air from branch line 688a through aperture 746 in piston 747 of valve 660d and through line 748 in lower end (Fig. 24). ) of valve 692, thereby pushing piston valve 691 towards the upper end of valve 692.

   During this movement, the air contained in the upper end of the valve 692 is evacuated through the pipe 702 and by a lumen 749 formed in the piston 701 of the valve 660a and leaves the valve 660a through a vent 750. 'High pressure air then flows from line 688a through lumen 689 of piston 691 of valve 692 and

  <Desc / Clms Page number 43>

 passes through line 693 in the upper end (Fig. 24) of cylinders 278, thereby taking piston rods 281 in their extended positions and moving retainers 288 away from the paths followed by boxes on feed conveyors 142 and 143 associates.

   The operating cycle described above is then repeated for all subsequent rows of boxes formed on the feed conveyors.



   When the rows of boxes have been transferred from the feed conveyors 142 and 143 to the loading cradles
152 and 153 respectively, the junction mechanisms 154 and 156 (Fig. 11) are actuated and the loading cradles with their loads of boxes are raised, so as to connect the loading cradles to the box carriers 56 to be loaded and to move the boxes upward at the same speed as the upward speed of the box carriers. During this time, the support surfaces of the loading cradles are kept in line with the support surfaces of the can carriers to be loaded and the pushers 157 and 158 are actuated to push the rows of cans into the corrugated can carriers. respondents.

   The lifters are then revived to their inactive positions, the junction mechanisms are retracted and the loading cradles are returned to their lower receiving positions.



   As the parts of the pneumatic control circuit
666 used to control the parts of the feed mechanism (Fig. 25) and the unloading mechanism 91 (Fig. 26) placed from; on either side of the axis of the treatment conveyor are similar, only the parts of circuit 666 used. to control the parts of the mechanisms 90 and 91 placed to the left of the axis of the conveyor 56, in FIG. 1, will be described in detail. '
The aforementioned left part of the feed mechanism
90 is actuated by the lug 658e provided on the programming drum 291 (Fig. 23) which momentarily switches the programming valve.

  <Desc / Clms Page number 44>

 pneumatic mation 660e.

   The straight part of the feed mechanism is simultaneously actuated by the ergo, 658f which switches the valve 660f.



   Before switching on valve 660e (Fig. 25), high pressure air flows from main line 668, through branch line 762, through lumen 763 in piston 764 of a pneumatic valve. 766, and by a conduit 767 in the right end (Fig. 25) of the cylinder 430 of the pneumatic cylinder 429 so as to maintain the junction mechanism 154 in its retracted position.

   Air is expelled from the other end of cylinder 430 through line 768, through lumen 769 in valve 766, and through vent 761 to atmosphere. At this time, high pressure air is also released. sent from line 767 through line 772 into the left end (Fig. 25) of cylinder 476 of pneumatic cylinder 473, thereby maintaining piston rod 474 in its extended position and maintaining loading cradle 152 in position. lower. Air is expelled from the other end of cylinders 476 through line 724, through lumen 776 in piston 777 of a junction valve 778 and through vent 779 to atmosphere.

   High pressure air also flows from line 668 through line 782, a port 783 formed in the piston 784 of a solenoid valve 788, a line 787, a port 788 formed in the piston 789 of a valve 791 from the loading cylinder and through a pipe 792 in the right side (Fig. 25) of the loading cylinder 193 so as to move the piston rod 399 to its extended position and to keep the pusher 157 in an inactive position . Air is expelled from the other end of cylinder 393 through line 793, lumen 794 in piston 789 of loading cylinder valve 791, and vent 796 into atmosphere.



   When the bottom of the box carrier 59 to be loaded passes through the junction mechanism 154, the lug 658e of the programming drum

  <Desc / Clms Page number 45>

 mation 291 momentarily switches valve 660e (Fig. 25) so that high pressure air flows from main line 668, through line 797, through aperture 798 in piston 799 of valve 660e, and through a line 802 in the lower end (Fig. 25) of the valve 766, thereby switching the piston 764 towards the upper end of the valve 766. The air contained in the upper end of the valve. valve is expelled through a line 803, a lumen 804 formed in the piston 806 of the valve 422 and a Vent 808, into the atmosphere.



   When valve piston 764 of valve 766 is moved to its upper position, high pressure air flows from line 762 through lumen 769a, through line 768 and into the left end of cylinder 430 of so as to bring the piston rod 431 into its extended position and to bring the junction mechanism 154 into a position in which it comes into contact with the lower surface of the can holder to be loaded. Air is then exhausted from the other end of cylinder 430 through line 767, lumen 763a, and vent 809.



   Movement of the junction mechanism 154 to its extended position causes a cam surface 811 to move and hold the piston 777 of the valve 778 down and thus brings a lumen 812 in the piston 777 in communication with the conduits 768 and 724. High pressure air then passes from line 768, through lumen $ 12 ', and through line 74 into the right end of cylinder 476, thereby moving piston rod 474 into its retracted position and causing the junction mechanism 154 engaged with the lower surface of the box carrier to be loaded while the loading cradle 152 moves upward at the same speed as the boltes carrier.

   During this time, air is discharged from the other end of cylinder 473 through line 772 and 767, through port 763a and through vent 809. As piston rod 474 begins to retract , a cam surface 814 deviates

  <Desc / Clms Page number 46>

 piston 816 of a valve 817 and enables a spring 818 to bring a lumen 819 into communication with lines 821 and 822 which cooperate to pass high pressure air from line 768 into the lower end of the tube. valve 791, thereby switching the piston-valve 789 to its upper position.

   When piston 789 is in its upper position, high pressure air flows from line 787 into the left end of cylinder 393 through lumen 794a and through line 793, thereby moving the piston rod to its position. retracted in which the pusher 157 pushes a row of boxes back into the box holder to be loaded. At this time, air is discharged from the other end of cylinder 393 through line 792, a lumen 788a and a vent 823 formed in valve 791.



   As soon as the pusher 157 begins its loading stroke, the udder at 806 of the valve 422 is momentarily moved by a cam 421 connected to the pusher to make a lumen 824 coincide with the pipe 803 and with a pipe 826 which is connected to it. line 792. But moving piston 806 at this time is inefficient because line 792 'is put into communication with the atmosphere through port 788a and lift 823.

   When the row of boxes has been introduced into the box holder and the pusher 157 approaches the end of its stroke, the cam 421 comes into contact with the piston 831 of a valve 423 and descends; dre piston 831 momentarily so as to establish communication between a line 833 connected to the main air line 668 and a line 834 connected to the upper end of the valve 791 to force air at high pressure to return piston 789 to its lower position shown in FIG. 25. High pressure air flows through the pneumatic circuits described above and forces the piston to return to its extended position and returns the pusher 157 to its inactive position shown in FIG. 25.

   When pusher 157 reaches

  <Desc / Clms Page number 47>

 In its inactive position, the cam 421 momentarily moves the piston 806 of the valve 422 and thereby brings the port 824 into coincidence with the lines 803 and 826. High pressure air then flows from the line 792 through the line 826. , through the lumen 824 of the piston 806 and through the line 803 in the upper end of the valve 766 and thus pushes the piston-valve downward to its starting position shown in FIG. 25. The verbs 429 and 473 therefore return the junction mechanism 154 to its retracted position and the loading cradle 152 to its lower position.



   The speed of pusher 157 and of vertical movement of loading cradle 152 is controlled by speed control valves CV connected in lines connected to cylinders 393 and 476 of jacks 391 and 473 respectively.



  Details of the CV speed control valves will be given below.



   The can carrier loading cycle described above is then repeated for each pair of side-by-side can carriers 59 when valves 660e and 660f (Fig. 23) are actuated in a programmed manner by the pins. 658e and 658f respectively.



   Before simultaneously actuating the valves 660g and 660h (Fig. 23) by means of the pins 658g and 658h of the programming drum 291, which engages the unloading mechanism 91, the parts of the pneumatic control circuit 666 which actuate the half left of the unloading mechanism are in the positions shown in FIG. 26.



   At this time, air from the main supply line 668 passes through a port 841 in the piston 842 of a valve 843, and through a line 844 in the left end (Fig. 26). of the cylinder 565 of the pneumatic cylinder 566 so as to hold the junction mechanism 164

  <Desc / Clms Page number 48>

 in its retraced position. Al is expelled from the other end of cylinder 565 through line 846, lumen 847 in piston-valve 842 and vent 841 to atmosphere.

   High pressure air also passes from line 844 through line 849 into the right end of lift cylinder 476 of ram 473 to keep piston rod 474 retracted and to keep unload cradle 162 in its position. - lower position. Air is exhausted from the other end of cylinder 476 through conduit 851, through a lumen 852 in piston 853 of a junction valve 854, and through vent 856 into the atmosphere.

   High pressure air also passes from the line
668 through line 857, lumen 858 in piston 859 of solenoid valve 861, 'wave 862, lumen 863 in'. The piston 864 of a valve 866 and a pipe 867 in the right end (Fig. 26) of the cylinder 498 of the cylinder 499 so as to keep the piston rod 504 in its retracted position and the pusher 167 in its position inactive. Air is expelled from the other side of cylinder 498 through line 868, a lumen
869 in the piston-valve 864 and a vent 871 in the atmosphere.



   The valve 668g was momentarily actuated by the lug 658g (Fig. 23) of the programming drum 291 occurs immediately after the lower surface of the can holder to be loaded has risen beyond the junction mechanism 164 Actuation of valve 660g sends high pressure air from main line 668 through line 873, line 874, lumen
876 in the piston 877 of the valve 660g and a line 878 in the lower end (Fig. 26) of the valve 843 so as to push the piston-valve 842 into its upper position.

   Air in the upper end of valve 843 is vented through line 879, lumen 881 in piston 882 of valve 883, and vent 884 to atmosphere.



   When the piston 842 is in its upper position,

  <Desc / Clms Page number 49>

 high pressure air passes from line 668, through lumen 847a and through line 846 in the right end of the cylinder
565 to move the piston rod 567 to its extended position and to bring the free extract of the junction mechanism 164 into place below the can holder to be loaded. Air expelled from the other end of cylinder 565 passes through line 844, lumen 841a, and vent 886 to atmosphere.



   Moving the piston rod 567 to its extended position brings the cam surface 887 of the junction mechanism 164 into contact with the piston 853 of the valve 854 in its lower position so as to coincide a lumen 888 with it. line 851 and with line 889 which communicates with line 846.

   High pressure air then passes from line 846 through line 889, lumen 888, and line 851 into cylinder 476 to move piston line 474 to its extended position and lift discharge hoop 162. towards its elevated position at the same speed as the supporting surface of the particular can holder 59 to be loaded and with its support surface in line with the surface of this can holder. This alignment is maintained by the contact of the protrusion of the junction mechanism 164 with the lower surface of the can holder to be loaded. Air is exhausted from the other end of cylinder 476 through line 849, line 844, lumen 84a and vent 886.



     Immediately after the discharge cradle 162 begins to rise, a cam surface 892 moves away from the piston 893 of the valve 894 due to the extension of the piston rod 474.



   A spring 896 then pushes the piston valve 893 upwards and allows a port 897 to establish communication between a conduit 898 which is connected to the conduit 846 and a conduit 899 which communicates with the lower extract of the tube. valve 866. High pressure air then passes from line 846 through line 898, port 897 and line 899 in the lower end.

  <Desc / Clms Page number 50>

 lower part of the valve 866 so as to move the piston-valve 864 upwards. Air is vented from the other end of valve 866 through line 901, lumen 902 in piston 903 of valve 904, and vent 906 to atmosphere.



   When piston-valve 864 is in its upper position, high pressure air flows to the left end of cylinder 498 from line 857 through port 858, line 862, port 869a and line 868. Air is expelled from the other end of cylinder 498 through line 867, port 863a, and vent 907. As piston rod 504 moves to its extended position, the pusher 167 pushes the row of processed boxes from the box carrier onto the unloading conveyor 169 (Fig. 9) for later unloading from the machine.

   At the start of this stroke, it should be noted that the cam 909 (Fig. 26) on the pusher 167 momentarily moves the piston-valve 8 @@ and makes a light 911 coincide with the lines 867 and 879. Kais, like the line 867 communicates with the atmosphere at this precise moment, this displacement of the piston-valve has no effect on the control system.



   When the pusher 167 reaches the end of its stroke, the cam 909 comes into contact with the piston 903 of the valve 904 and pushes it downwards so as to make a slot 912 coincide with the pipe 874 and the pipe 901. From there The high pressure air from line 874 then passes through the upper end of valve 866 and returns piston 864 to its lower starting position shown in FIG. 26. High pressure air then passes through the conduits already described in the right end of cylinder 498 and thus returns pusher 167 to its inactive position.

   Immediately before reaching its inactive position, cam 909 momentarily moves piston valve 882 downward and allows lumen 911 to coincide with lines 867 and 879 to pass air.

  <Desc / Clms Page number 51>

 high pressure from line 867 into the upper end of valve 843 to push valve piston 842 to its lower starting position shown in FIG. 26.



   When piston-valve 842 is in its lower position, high pressure air is introduced into the left end (Fig. 26) of cylinder 565, thereby retracting piston rod 567 to disengage the junction mechanism. 164 of the can holder unloading and moving the cam surface of piston 853 away from valve 854. Piston 853 of valve 854 then rises under spring pressure in the position shown in FIG. 26 and high pressure air enters cylinder 476 through the pneumatic circuits described above to return piston rod 474 to its retracted position and return unloading cradle 162 to its lower position.



   When the piston rod 474 reaches its retracted position thereby moving the unloading cradle 162 into its lower position, the cane surface 892 engages the piston 893 and brings it to its starting position shown in FIG. 26.



   - The CV speed control valves are plugged into the lines connected to cylinders 473 and 499 and can be adjusted to change the speed of piston rods 474 and 504 as desired.



   Each operating cycle of the unloading mechanism 91 is identical to that described above and begins with the simultaneous actuation of the valves 660g and 660h (Fig. 23) of the programming drum by the pins 658g and 658h respectively.



   CV speed control valves can be of any well known type such as that shown in FIG. 27. Like. the various CV valves are identical, the description of one will suffice for all the others. Each speed control valve includes a housing 917 having a passage

  <Desc / Clms Page number 52>

 rectilinear 918 which crosses it from one to the other. An extended portion 919 of passage 918 contains a bill '. retainer 921 which rests on a seat 922 to prevent air from descending (Fig. 27) through passage 918 while allowing it to flow upward unimpeded. Adjustment pasae: n U 923 in the housing 917 bypasses the retaining ball 921 and communicates with the opposing extracts of the rectilinear passage 918.

   An adjustable needle 924 cooperates with a frustoconical seat 926 in the adjustment passage to restrict the flow of air downward through this passage to modify the speed at which the piston of the associated pneumatic cylinder moves. It will be understood that the needle 924 of each speed control valve CV can be adjusted independently of the way to achieve the desired forward speed of the piston of the associated pneumatic cylinder. It will also be understood that the CV control valves are all positioned so that the upper lumen 127 is, preferably, the lower lumen 928, connected to the corresponding cylinder.



   The electrical circuit 930 shown in FIG. 28 comprises a protection circuit which stops the various motors for driving the mechanical parts of the apparatus in the event that certain pneumatic cylinders are overloaded.



   Circuit 930 includes a main switch 931 which is closed during operation to supply three-phase current to the electrical elements of the apparatus as main lines L1, L2 and L3. The main transporter motor 101 is connected to the main lines L1, L2 and L3 by conductors 1T1, 1T2 and 1T3 respectively, each conductor having a relay contact 1M-1. The main conveyor motor 102 is connected to the main lines L1, L2 and L3 by the conductors 2T1, 2T2 and 2T3 respectively, each conductor containing a relay contact 2M-1. The feed conveyor motor 202 is connected to the main lines

  <Desc / Clms Page number 53>

 L1, L2 and L3 through conductors 3T1, 3T2 and 3T3 respectively, each conductor containing a 3M-1 relay contact.

   Cross conveyor motor 187 is connected to main lines L1, L2 and L3 by conductors 4T1, 4T2, and 4T3, each conductor containing a relay contact 4m-1. The motor 649 of the unloading conveyor is connected to the main lines L1, L2 and L3 by conductors 5T1, 512 and 513 respectively. Each conductor containing a 5M-1 relay contact. The circulation pump motor 134 is connected to the main lines L1, L2 and L3 by conductors 6T1, 6T2 and 6T3, each conductor containing a relay contact 6M-1.



   The primary winding of a step-down transformer 932 is connected to conductors L1 and L2 while its secondary winding supplies single-phase current at a lower voltage through lines L4 and L5 to a single-phase control circuit 934. Limiting switches the aforementioned bipolar load 353, 478a, 396a, 553a and 503a which are associated with the elements located to the left of the machine and the additional load limit switches 478a ', 396a', 553a, 503a 'and 353' (shown only on the Fig. 28a associated with the elements located to the right of the apparatus are arranged with their normally closed contacts connected in a series circuit 936 between lines L4 andL5.

   The normally open contacts of each load limiting switch are connected in series to an associated pilot light 937 in a separate circuit, each circuit being connected between lines L4 and L5. Therefore, if any of the load limit switches are actuated the associated normally closed contact is open, thus opening the circuit in series and the associated normally open contact is closed, also causing the closure of a circuit for the special indicator lamp 937 which indicates to the attendant a malfunction of the appliance

  <Desc / Clms Page number 54>

 



   Series circuit 936 includes a pressure switch PS which is closed when the correct air pressure is introduced into the air control system.



  This circuit also includes several normally hooked stop switches $ 938 which are placed at different places on the machine so that the machine can be stopped
 EMI54.1
 in an emergency, a normally open reset button 939 and a UV relay. A 941 restraint circuit with a normally open UV-1 relay contact is connected in parallel.
 EMI54.2
 with the release button 939.



  To start the 1! Otc "Jrs 101 and 102 of the main conveyors, the reset button is first pressed so as to energize the UV relay and close the retaining contacts OV-1 and OV-2 of the relay. We then close a switch
 EMI54.3
 start nOl.21 open 943 by connecting it in the series 944 circuit between lines L4 and L5 and this circuit includes the closed contact OV-2 of the UV relay, the start switch 943 and the relay read.

   A pilot lamp 946 and a 2H relay are connected in parallel with the 1M relay and are energized when the ûk..s; ru, t. is iron! a '?. a restraint circuit 947 comprising a normally open relay contact lu -, ', - 2 is connected in parallel RV0C the back-up switch 934 and m, ai.zriHnt the relays A and 2cl energized when the switch start-up 943 was released. The energization of the 1M and 2M relays closes the 1M-1 and 2M-1 relay contacts to close the circuits of the motors 101 and 102 of the main conveyor.



   The motor 202 at the feeder is started by closing a normally open switch 949 which is connected in a series circuit 950 between the lines L4 ETL5 and this circuit includes the relay contact UN-2, the switch of start 949 and relay 3M. A pilot lamp 951 is connected in the circuit in parallel with the 3M relay and a contact.

  <Desc / Clms Page number 55>

 Normally open relay 3M-2 is connected in a restraining circuit which is itself connected in parallel to the start switch 949. The energization of the relay 3M therefore closes the contact.
3M-1 and starts the motor 202 u feed conveyor.



   Cross conveyor motor 187 is started by closing a normally open start switch
953 which closes a 954 series circuit between lines L4 and L5.



   This 954 circuit includes the UV-2 relay contact, the switch
953 and the 4M relay. Excitation of relay 4M closes a normally open relay contact 4M-2 in a restraining circuit connected in parallel with start switch 953 and hold - relay 4M energizes when start switch 953 has been released. Energizing relay 4M also causes relay contact 4M-1 to close thereby closing motor circuit 187. A pilot light 955 is connected in parallel with relay 4M and is lit when cross conveyor motor 187 is operating.



   The unload conveyor motor 649 is started by closing a normally open start switch 956 which closes a series circuit 957 between lines L4 and L5 which includes the UV-2 relay contact, the switch.
956 and the 5M relay. Excitation of the 5M relay closes a 5M-2 normally open relay contact in a restraining circuit in parallel with the start switch * 956. Excitation of the 5X relay also closes the 5M-1 relay contacts thus closing the switch. motor circuit 649 of the unloading conveyor. A pilot lamp 958 is connected in parallel with the relay, 5M and is lit when the unload conveyor motor 649 is running.



   Circulation pump motor 134 is not affected by any of the load limit switches and is started by closing a normal start switch.

  <Desc / Clms Page number 56>

 not open 960 which is in a series circuit 961 between lines L4 and L5, this circuit comprising an ar- switch; normally closed stop 962, start switch 960 and relay 6M. Energizing relay 6M closes relay contact 6M-2 in a restraining circuit connected in parallel with start switch 960 and closes relay contacts 6M-1, thereby sending current to motor 134 of the switch. circulation pump.



   The aforementioned solenoid valves 786 (Fig. 25) and 861 (Fig. 26) of the pneumatic circuit must be de-energized when the motors 101 and 102 of the main conveyor are not operating so that the pushrods 157 (Fig. 25) and 167 ( Fig. 26) are not inadvertently actuated and brought against the end of a can holder. However, the solenoids 786a and 86la (Fig.



  28) which actuate the valves are connected in a series 963 circuit between lines L4 and L5 which includes a normally open relay contact 1M-3 which closes when relays 1M and 2M are energized and when actuators 101 and 102 of the main carriers are started. It is clear that the UV relay is de-energized and the UV-2 relay contact is open and therefore the motors 101, 102, 202, 187 and 649 are not running while the solenoids 786a and 86la are de-energized if any of the stop switches 938 is open or if the closed contact of any of the load limit switches is open.



   It will be seen from the foregoing description that the apparatus of the invention is an improved apparatus for regulating the pressure acting on the cans and for cooling the cans so that thin-walled cans can be used without. risk of excess pressure build-up in the boxes. The invention also includes a safe apparatus for feeding rows of irregularly shaped boxes into boxes.

  <Desc / Clms Page number 57>

 can carriers continually cover them and unload them from them.



   Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the details of execution described to which changes and modifications can be made without departing from its scope.



   CLAIMS.



   1.- Apparatus for treating products in sealed containers comprising a sterilization chamber filled with a gaseous heat treatment agent under pressure, a device forming an inlet duct filled with hot water and an outlet duct filled with cooling water to balance the pressure of the gaseous medium and a conveyor device for driving containers into the chamber and into the water pipes, characterized in that it comprises a cooling compartment filled with water placed below the sterilization chamber and the outlet duct and connected in a fluid-tight manner to them to receive the lower part of the conveyor and to exert an overpressure of at least 0,

  035 kg / cm2 with respect to the pressure of the heat treating agent when the containers are at the lowest point of the conveyor, so as to provide an external pressure which is greater than the pressure of the condensable gases pro - picked up in the containers.

** ATTENTION ** end of DESC field can contain start of CLMS **.

 

Claims (1)

2.- Apparatus used to treat products contained in sealed containers, comprising a sterilization chamber filled with a milking agent: in pressurized gaseous thermal, a device forming an inlet duct filled with hot water and an outlet duct filled with cooling water to balance the pressure of the gaseous medium and a conveyor device for driving the containers into the chamber and <Desc / Clms Page number 58> in water conduits, characterized in that it comprises a cooling compartment filled with water placed below the sterilization chamber and the outlet conduit and connected in a fluid-tight manner thereto to receive the lower part of the conveyor and to exert an overpressure of at least 0, 035 kg / cm2 with respect to the pressure of the gaseous agents when the receptacles are at the lower point of the conveyor so as to provide an external pressure which is greater than the pressure of the condensable gases produced in the receptacles, and a vertical enclosure forming an air chamber having a ferocious upper end and an open lower end fixed to the cooling compartment and communicating with the latter, means for guiding a loop of the conveyor in the enclosure, a device for circulating air in the enclosure at a pressure greater than the pressure of the heat treatment agent and slightly less than the excess pressure and a device for directing jets of sprayed cooling water into the chamber d 'air against the receptacles to condense the gases contained therein, 3. - Hydrostatic cooker, characterized in that it comprises a device forming a vertical inlet water pipe containing heated water, a device forming a sterilization chamber communicating with the inlet water pipe and containing a gaseous heating agent maintained under pressure, a device forming a cooling compartment filled with water placed below and communicating with the sterilization chamber, a device forming a vertical outlet water duct containing a cooling water column, the inlet water pipe and the outlet water pipe forming a pressure-tight guard for the sterilization chamber by balancing the pressure of the gaseous heating agent which forces the water downward to a predetermined level in the sterilization chamber <Desc / Clms Page number 59> station and a device for moving the containers in the inlet water pipe, the sterilization chamber, the cooling compartment and the outlet water pipe, the cooling compartment extending to. sufficient depth below the predetermined level to exert an overpressure of at least 0.035 kg / cm2 on the receptacles. 4. Hydrostatic cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises baffles in the cooling compartment to separate the water heated in the inlet water pipe from the cooling water contained. in the cooling compartment. 5. - Hydrostatic cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an air chamber fixed to the cooling compartment and communicating with the latter at a point between the inlet water pipe and the pipe of outlet water, means for introducing air into the chamber at a pressure substantially equal to the overpressure, and means for projecting jets of cooling water sprayed onto the containers as they pass through the chamber air so as to rapidly cool and condense the condensable gases contained in the receptacles to make their walls concave by deforming them inwardly. 6.- Apparatus used to treat products contained in sealed containers, characterized in that it comprises in combination a continuously moving conveyor, several equally spaced container holders attached to the conveyor, a support cradle for the containers. placed near and parallel to the receptacle carriers, a device for moving the supporting cradle back and forth so that, during part of its travel, the cradle moves at the back and forth. same speed and in the same direction as the conveyor, a device fixed to the cradle and capable of being brought into engagement with a carrier <Desc / Clms Page number 60> containers when the cradle moves in the same direction as the conveyor, and a device for transferring the row of containers between the cradle and the starch holder while the cradle is locked to the container holder. 7.- Apparatus used to treat products contained in sealed containers, characterized in that it comprises in combination a continuously moving conveyor, several equally spaced container holders attached to the conveyor, a support cradle for them. receptacles placed near one end of the receptacle carriers and parallel to them, a device for moving the support cradle with a reciprocating movement so that, during part of its stroke, the cradle moves at the same speed and in the same direction as the conveyor, a device supported by the cradle and capable of being caught with a receptacle holder when the cradle moves in the same direction as the carrier, and a device for transferring the row of containers through said end and between the cradle and the container holder while the cradle is locked to the container holder, 8.- Apparatus used to treat products contained in sealed containers, characterized in that it comprises in combination a continuously moving conveyor, several equally spaced container carriers attached to the conveyor, a loading cradle placed near the doors - containers and parallel thereto and a device for bringing a row of containers to the loading cradle, a device for moving the loading cradle in a reciprocating motion so that, during part of its stroke , the loading cradle moves at the same speed and in the same direction as the transporter, a device attached to the loading cradle and capable of being brought into engagement with a receptacle carrier to be loaded while the cradle is moving in the same direction as the transport <Desc / Clms Page number 61> carrier, and a device for transferring the row of containers from the loading cradle to the container carrier to be loaded while the loading cradle is locked to the container carrier. * 9.- Apparatus used to treat products contained in sealed containers, characterized in that it comprises in combination a continuously moving conveyor, several equally spaced elongated container carriers attached to the conveyor, a loading cradle placed near the carriers. receptacles and parallel to them, a device for bringing a row of containers onto the loading cradle in line with one end of a container carrier to be loaded, a device for moving the loading cradle back and forth so that, during part of its travel, the loading cradle moves at the same speed and in the same direction as the transporter, a device supported by the loading cradle and capable of being brought into engagement with a receptacle holder to be loaded when the cradle moves in the same direction as the conveyor, and a device for transferring the row of containers from the loading cradle through the first end of the container carrier while the loading cradle is locked to the carrier. containers. 10.- Apparatus used to treat products contained in sealed containers, characterized in that it comprises in combination a continuously moving treatment conveyor, several equally spaced elongate container holders attached to the conveyor, a loading cradle placed Near one end of the container carriers and parallel to them and having a supporting surface for the containers, a driven feed conveyor placed along one side of the loading cradle to receive containers and to bring them into a position they can be transferred to <Desc / Clms Page number 62> on the loading cradle, a device for moving the loading cradle back and forth from a position in which the container support surface is parallel to the support surface of the feed conveyor to a height of position spaced from this surface, the reciprocating device moving the loading cradle at the same speed and in the same direction as the conveyor during part of its travel, a pusher movable transversely to the loading cradle and to the conveyor when the support surfaces are in line for transferring a row of containers from the feed conveyor to the loading cradle, a device supported by the cradle and capable of being brought into engagement with a container carrier when the cradle the water moves in the same direction as the conveyor, and a device for moving the row of containers in the longitudinal direction of the cradle for insertion into the container holder while the cradle is locked to the container holder. 11. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises a device for detecting the appropriate number and position of the receptacles placed on the supply conveyor, a stop device capable of being brought in. place in synchronism with the movement of the treatment conveyor to attack a container upstream of its feeding position in order to stop this container as well as all the containers located upstream, the detector device being synchronized with the displacement of the process conveyor and being sensitive to the presence of an incorrect number of containers on the feed conveyor in the transfer position and improper arrangement of these containers to prevent the pusher from functioning. 12.- Apparatus for treating products contained in sealed containers, characterized in that it comprises in <Desc / Clms Page number 63> combination a feed conveyor for advancing a row of end-to-end containers along a predetermined path, a pivot block mounted to pivot about a predetermined axis near the conveyor, a rigid stop arm attached to one end to the block and comprising a free end which extends outwardly, a resilient arm rigidly fixed at one end to the block and arranged parallel to the rigid arm with its free end extending outwardly of the free end the rigid arm, a stopper attached to the free end of the resilient arm and having a shoulder placed in contact with the free end of the rigid arm, and a device for rotating the pivot block from a position in which the stopper is space of the containers to an active position in which the stopper is in contact with the container, the stopper normally being introduced between adjacent containers, the entry into contact of an upstream container with the stopper having the effect to bring the shoulder into engagement with the free end of the rigid arm. 13.- Apparatus for treating products contained in sealed containers, characterized in that it comprises a container holder comprising an elongated upper support axis for the containers, has wings which extend downwardly on each of its longitudinal edges, an elongated lower container support core having wings which extend upwardly on each of its longitudinal edges and which are placed in line with the corresponding upper wings, support members rigidly attached to the aligned upper and lower wings to support the webs a predetermined distance from each other so that the wings and webs cooperate to prevent the containers from moving sideways with respect to the container holder. 14.- Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized <Desc / Clms Page number 64> in that the cores are perforated and nerv.res are provided between each core and the wing which is reread therein to allow a liquid treatment agent to actually come into contact with the containers. 15.- Apparatus for treating products' contained in sealed containers, characterized in that it comprises in combination two spaced endless chains each formed by a large number of links, a device for moving the chains along a path predetermined, several container carriers attached to the corresponding links of the chains, each container carrier comprising an elongated upper support core comprising wings which extend outwardly on each of its longitudinal edges, a core of elongated lower support comprising wings which extend outwardly on each of its longitudinal edges and which are placed in line with the corresponding upper wings, have support members rigidly attached to the upper and lower wings aligned to support the support cores at a predetermined distance from each other so that the wings and webs cooperate to prevent the containers from moving laterally with respect to the container holder, each core has a notch formed in each of its ends and fixed guides parallel to the path followed by the conveyor and engaging in the notches to prevent the containers from moving longitudinally in it. the receptacle holders. 16. - Apparatus for treating products contained in sealed containers, characterized in that it comprises a driven supply conveyor two spaced driven feed conveyors which extend transversely to the supply conveyor in a position in which they can receive. containers from the supplier carrier, a dust collector placed near the supplier carrier <Desc / Clms Page number 65> and movable between an inactive position in which it is spaced from two containers present on the supply conveyor and an active position in which it simultaneously pushes the two space containers of the supplier conveyor onto the supply conveyors, a motor device for actuating the pusher and a control device placed at the downstream end of the feed conveyor and intended to be driven by one of the two receptacles to actuate the motor device, which has the effect of bringing the pusher to move from its inactive position to its active position in order to transfer the two containers from the supply conveyor to the feed conveyors and then to return to its inactive position. 17.- Apparatus intended to treat products contained in sealed containers, characterized in that it comprises a driven supply conveyor comprising an upper transport strand, two spaced feed conveyors which extend transversely to the supply conveyor in a position in which they receive containers driven by the supply conveyor, an apron placed above the support strand of the containers between the two supply conveyors, a pusher device placed near the supplying conveyor and capable of moving between an inactive position spaced from the two containers present on the supplying conveyor and an active position in which it simultaneously pushes the two spaced apart containers of the supplying conveyor onto the conveyors power supply, a motor device to actuate the pusher, and a control device placed at the downstream end of the supply conveyor in a position in which it is driven by the first container of a column of containers arranged end to end and brought on the apron by the supply conveyor to actuate the device. motor control which moves the pusher from its inactive position to <Desc / Clms Page number 66> its active position so as to transfer the first container as well as another container from the column of the path followed by the supplier conveyor on the orientation conveyors. 18.- Apparatus intended to treat products contained in sealed containers, characterized in that it comprises a driven supply conveyor comprising an upper support strand, two spaced feed conveyors which extend transversely to the side. supply conveyor in a position in which they receive containers driven by the supply conveyor, an apron placed above the support strand of the containers between the two supply conveyors, a push device placed near the supplying conveyor and movable between an inactive position spaced apart from two containers present on the supplying conveyor and an - active groove in which it simultaneously pushes the two spaced apart containers of the supplier conveyor onto the supply conveyors , a pneumatic motor device for actuating the pusher, a first pneumatic valve placed at the downstream end of the supply conveyor and at the downstream end of the apron and intended to be driven by the first container of a column of containers arranged end to end which is driven by the supplier conveyor on the apron, the first valve, when attacked by the first container, being able to actuate the motor device to move the pusher from its inactive position to its active position so as to bring the first container as well as another container of the column on the corresponding feed conveyors, and the second pneumatic valve is placed so as to be actuated by the pusher when it has reached its active position to force the pneumatic motor device to return the pusher to its inactive position. 19. - Apparatus intended to treat contained products <Desc / Clms Page number 67> in sealed containers, characterized in that it comprises in combination a continuously moving conveyor, several container holders also spaces fixed to the conveyor, a support cradle for the containers placed near one end of the container holders and parallel to these, a device for animating the supporting cradle with a reciprocating movement so that, during a part of its course, the cradle moves at the same speed and in the same direction as the conveyor, a junction plate supported by the cradle so as to pivot about an axis parallel to the cradle and to move longitudinally with respect to the latter, means for engaging the container carriers provided on the front end of the junction plate, a driving device for moving the junction plate and the means for attaching to the container carriers between a retracted position located at a certain distance of the path followed by the receptacle carriers and an active position located in the path followed by the receptacle carriers before moving the cradle in a reciprocating motion in the direction of advance of the receptacle carriers so that a subsequent displacement of the cradle in the direction of advance of the receptacle carriers brings the means of attachment to the receptacle carriers in contact with the lower surface of a receptacle carrier and brings the junction plate in a plane parallel to that of the lower surface of this receptacle holder, and a device for transferring the row of receptacles to the first end between the cradle and the receptacle carrier, the motor device being capable of returning the fixing means so as to separate them from the path followed by the receptacle holders before overturning the step of the cradle. 20, - Apparatus intended to treat products contained in a sealed container, characterized in that it comprises a continuously moving conveyor, several container holders <Desc / Clms Page number 68> Equally spaced legs attached to the conveyor, there is a container support cradle placed near one end of the container carriers and parallel to them, a device for moving the support cradle in a reciprocating motion. fool that, during part of its stroke, the cradle moves at the same speed and in the same direction as the transporter, a pl: that of junction supported by the cradle so as to pivot about an axis parallel to the cradle and to move longitudinally with respect to the latter, means intended to engage with a receptacle holder mounted to pivot on the front end of the junction plate and extending towards the front thereof, a resilient member mounted inlets means intended to engage with the container holder and the junction plate to urge these means towards the bis, a driving device for moving the junction plate and the means intended to engage with the can holder between a retracted position and an active position located in the path of the can holders before moving the cradle back and forth. the direction of advance of the receptacle-holders so that a subsequent displacement of the cradle in the direction of advance of the can-holders forces the means intended to come into engagement with the can-holders to attack the surface bottom of one of the can holders and moving the junction plate in a plane parallel to that of the lower surface of the can holder, and a device for transferring the row of containers through the first end between the cradle and the holder -containers, the motor device being capable of returning the means intended to come into engagement with the receptacle holder out of the path followed by the receptacle carriers before reversing the direction of advance of the cradle, the elastic members allowing: the means intended to engage the container holder to pivot out of the path followed by the container holders in case the motor device does not return medium cases <Desc / Clms Page number 69> in their retracted position before another boot holder passes next to these means. 21.- Apparatus intended to treat products contained in sealed containers, characterized in that it comprises a continuously moving conveyor, several container-holders also spaces fixed to the conveyor, an unloading cradle parallel to the container-holders and placed completely near one end of the receptacle carriers when these receptacle carriers pass through an unloading station, a device for moving the unloading cradle back and forth in synchronism with the movement of the conveyor so that, during part of its travel, the loading cradle moves at the same speed and in the same direction as the transporter, a junction device mounted on the unloading cradle and EMI69.1 capable of being engaged with a golden container holder. the safe containers must be unloaded when the cradle moves in the same direction as the conveyor, a device for transferring the row of containers from the container holder to the cradle unloading cradle and an unloading cradle conveyor continuously driven and supported by the unloading cradle to receive the containers from the pusher and to unload them from the cradle. 22. Apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that it comprises a continuously driven unloading conveyor, one end of which pivots around a shaft common to the unloading conveyor and to the unloading conveyor cradle and mounted to slide. in a reciprocating motion with the unloading cradle, the other extracted from the unloading conveyor being mounted so as to slide horizontally. 23.- Apparatus intended to treat contained products <Desc / Clms Page number 70> in sealed containers, characterized by comprising a mechanism for inserting containers into elongated container carriers of a continuously driven process conveyor including a supply conveyor for advancing a row of end-to-end containers. end following a path transverse to the container carriers, a device for intermittently pushing transversely to the supply conveyor of the spaced containers, two spaced feed conveyors positioned transversely to the supply conveyor and parallel to the container carriers in positions in which they receive the repressed receptacles from the supplier carrier, one of the feed conveyors being designed to introduce the containers which it supports into a feeding station, a device at the unloading end of the feed conveyor to stop the movement of the containers present on the first. - feed conveyor In order to form a row of containers arranged end to end in the feed station, a stop movable in synchronism with the movement of the treatment conveyor in the path followed by the containers on the conveyor. feed upstream of the feeding station to stop the movement of all the containers upstream of the stop, a position detector for the containers placed in front of the adjustable and movable stop in synchronism with the movement of the treatment conveyor in contact with the containers provided on the first supply conveyor to detect whether an appropriate number of containers on the first supply cransporteur are in the desired position to be introduced into the receptacle holders, a switch incorporated in the detector and. formed in the event that an appropriate number of receptacles occupy the appropriate position in the feed station, a load cradle placed parallel to the first feed conveyor and one end of which is placed close to a <Desc / Clms Page number 71> end of the receptacle holder to be loaded into this feeding station, a device for moving the cradle back and forth between a position in which its upper surface is in line with the container support surface of the first feed conveyor and in which the upper surface is in line with the support surface of the first container-carrier to be loaded while the bercesu moves towards the hut at the same speed and in the same direction as the transporter, a junction element supported by the cradle and capable of being brought into engagement with the receptacle holder to be loaded when the cradle moves in the same direction as the treatment conveyor a push device capable of operating in synchronism with movement of the processing conveyor and in response to closing the switch for transferring a row of containers into the infeed station, transversely from the infeed conveyor to the loading cradle, a pusher extension supported by the cradle for transferring the row of containers longitudinally from the loading cradle into the container carrier to be loaded and a device for driving the carriers.